5 ms·

First off, a lot of people are born at the bottom, and born at the top, of various hierarchies. I'm certain that the people at the top think they earned it. T

First off, a lot of people are born at the bottom, and born at the top, of various hierarchies. I'm certain that the people at the top think they earned it. They didn't. Second, maintaining these kinds of hierarchies does not happen as the result of some kind of natural process. It requires violence.

dsfyu404ed 8y ago
I'm working quite hard to ensure that my children will have a far greater head start than I did. Why should I not be able to pass on the fruit of my labor? Yes I know this is going to be a controversial question. I'm genuinely interested in what people's opinions are.
- wsy 8y ago
  It is good if the society evens this out: it should not completely take away the fruits of your labor, because then your incentive to be productive will be low. But it also should ensure that less lucky children get a good start as well, to ensure that as many children as possible become productive citizens. To do the latter, the wealthy have to give up some of their wealth.
  - nybble41 8y ago
    "To do the latter, the wealthy have to give up some of their wealth." No, this does not follow. It is perfectly possible to ensure that every child has a reasonably good start and every chance to become a productive citizen without stealing from anyone, if only the people who are specifically interested in "evening things out" give up some of their wealth for the purpose. As a bonus, the children then get to grow up in a society where theft and parasitism are not deemed normal and acceptable forms of behavior.
    - wsy 8y ago
      That does not seem to make much sense. Do you also think street building and maintenance, police, army, etc. should only be supported by people "specifically interested" in these services?
      - nybble41 8y ago
        Yes, of course. If you want a service, you pay for it yourself. You have no right to make anyone else pay for what you want against their will.
        wsy 8y ago
        Game-theoretic results prove that this cannot possibly work (tragedy of the commons). Your second sentence is no argument, just a claim. I counter-claim that I do have that right. So it seems to be a stalemate with respect to claims.

dsfyu404ed 8y ago

I'm working quite hard to ensure that my children will have a far greater head start than I did. Why should I not be able to pass on the fruit of my labor? Yes I know this is going to be a controversial question. I'm genuinely interested in what people's opinions are.

wsy 8y ago
It is good if the society evens this out: it should not completely take away the fruits of your labor, because then your incentive to be productive will be low. But it also should ensure that less lucky children get a good start as well, to ensure that as many children as possible become productive citizens. To do the latter, the wealthy have to give up some of their wealth.
- nybble41 8y ago
  "To do the latter, the wealthy have to give up some of their wealth." No, this does not follow. It is perfectly possible to ensure that every child has a reasonably good start and every chance to become a productive citizen without stealing from anyone, if only the people who are specifically interested in "evening things out" give up some of their wealth for the purpose. As a bonus, the children then get to grow up in a society where theft and parasitism are not deemed normal and acceptable forms of behavior.
  - wsy 8y ago
    That does not seem to make much sense. Do you also think street building and maintenance, police, army, etc. should only be supported by people "specifically interested" in these services?
    - nybble41 8y ago
      Yes, of course. If you want a service, you pay for it yourself. You have no right to make anyone else pay for what you want against their will.
      - wsy 8y ago
        Game-theoretic results prove that this cannot possibly work (tragedy of the commons). Your second sentence is no argument, just a claim. I counter-claim that I do have that right. So it seems to be a stalemate with respect to claims.